A father-of-five got the shock of his life when he awoke to find that his car had been stolen.

Richard Mulliss, 39, was fast asleep with wife, Heather, 37, on Friday, June 30 when he heard the sound of a car stereo matching that of the station his partner usually listens to.

The architectural assistant who lives on Saucemere Drive in Newark had initially brushed it off as a coincidence and suspected that his neighbours were up early for work.

However, when trying to get the kids out to school in the morning, there was no sign of the dark silver Kia Carens and with no sign of a break-in, the police were called.

Mr Mulliss says the force believes the family were victim of a new burglar trick that involves poking a telescopic road through the letterbox where they hooked the key off the stairs that he had been left there while the property undergoes renovation work – before stealing the car.

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A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police added: "A burglar is believed to have used a long pole to reach a set of car keys through a letter box.

"A silver Kia Carens car was then taken from the driveway during the incident in Saucemere Drive, between the evening of Saturday, June 29 and the morning of Sunday June 30.

"Residents are being urged to keep their keys hidden from view.

"Anyone with information about the incident, or the whereabouts of the vehicle, is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 170 of 30 June 2017, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Previously police forces across the country have released a warning on social media demonstrating the new method burglars are using to target homes.

This is executed by sticking a pole through the letterbox and hooking up keys to break into homes and steal cars.

Crooks then use a telescopic rod with a hook to reach and grab the keys.